The Knights of the Columbus of the British Columbia and the Yukon held their annual State Convention at the Executive Hotel in Richmond from 25-27 April 2025. The general chair of the convention was the State Deputy Herb Yang who, in spite of suffering a cold, valiantly led all the events throughout the weekend. Among the special guests were State Deputies from Washington and Oregon as well as Supreme Director Rene Trevino from California.
The Convention began with a Eucharistic Divine Liturgy according to the Byzantine Ukrainian Rite led by State Chaplain Bishop Michael Kwiatkowski and clergy and singers from the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of New Westminster. The territory of the Eparchy, coincidentally, encompasses British Columbia, the Yukon Territory and a portion of the Northwest Territories. Bishop Michael was joined by clergy from the Eparchy – the Protosyncellus Fr. Mykhailo Ozorovych, Vice-Chancellor Fr. Yuriy Sakvuk, Fr. Mykhailo Postoliuk and Subdeacon Adrian Kopystynski was also in attendance. Former State Chaplain, Journalist, Fr. Vincent Hawkswell also concelebrated. Fr. Ozozovych prepared an additional sheet of the liturgical “propers” for Friday of Bright Week and Easter hymns and a trio of singers from the Cathedral parish, Halyna, Volodymyr and Liubomyr led the singing. The Liturgy was beautiful. A big thank you is due to the BC&Y State Director for Evangelization and Faith Formation, Br. Jamey Guerreo who coordinated so much for the set up of the Chapel area for the Eucharistic Liturgies as well as the separate Blessed Sacrament Adoration Chapel on an upper floor. At this Liturgy, Bishop Michael spoke about the joy and glory of the Easter season, about the Church being a crossroads with the death of Pope Francis and the preparation to choose his successor to the “Chair of Peter”. He also spoke about the extraordinary opportunity that the Jubilee Year offers for personal conversion and spiritual renewal to reenergize us for the mandate of Evangelization of the world around us. Following the Divine Liturgy, the clergy and a cohort of Knights that formed the weekend’s Honour Guard, escorted our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament to the Adoration Chapel. The Adoration Chapel was open “24/7” and knights took turns keeping vigil so that Convention participants and their family members could visit anytime to spend time in prayer and meditation. Fr. Hawkswell conducted Benediction services in the mornings at 7:00 AM.
The following days, the morning Mass was concelebrated by Bishop Michael and other clergy, but with different main celebrants. On Saturday former State Chaplain Fr. Vincent Hawkswell was the main celebrant and homilist, with a large group of singers. Thomas Sunday, Divine Mercy Sunday, Bishop Stephen Jensen from Prince George was the main celebrant and homilist. A group of singers sailed from the capital city of British Columbia – Victoria, which is located on Vancouver Island. During the Sunday Mass, Bishop Stephen also addressed the tragic killing of festival-goers that took place the previous evening in Vancouver and led the congregation in prayer for the victims and their families.
The Friday evening program included a lengthy State Deputy’s report and other opening formalities. Later in the evening, several awards were issued then a social evening with top entertainment provided delegates and their wives and a wonderful opportunity to relax, socialize and get to know each other better.
Saturday was a full day of business meetings, reports, resolutions and strategy-planning. Several speakers also offered instructional and inspirational presentations on several of the Knights most prominent projects and programs.
During the day, the ‘Ladies’, the wives of the Knights that attend as well, hold a parallel event in another part of the convention centre – the Ladies Program and Luncheon. This is a morning and afternoon program of fascinating and helpful speakers as well as entertainment and great fellowship lunch. One of the speakers is traditionally the serving State Chaplain. This year, Bishop Michael, shared some highlights of his life and vocation journey and then accepted any questions from the gathering.
In the evening the traditional formal State Deputy’s Banquet was held in the main ballroom. There, the State Deputy hosted an amazing gala of fine food, yes, but also a fast-flowing and engaging program of speakers, awards and presentations. The keynote address was given by Supreme Director Rene Trevino from California. Elections for the new State Executive had taken place earlier in the day, so State Deputy Herb Yang also took the opportunity to express his gratitude to everyone who supported him and collaborated with him over the past two years. At a very moving moment, Br. Herb expressed his heartfelt thanks to his wife, Clara, who he acknowledged as his love and his most faithful supporter. Herb Yang was elected to the KofC Board of Directors in 2024, however, and will continue to serve as a Supreme Director into 2027.
As has been a tradition for some years now, the Knights of B.C.&.Y presented each of the seven bishops in their territory a financial donation toward their vocations and seminary efforts. Great appreciation was expressed by each of the Bishops who were able to attend the banquet and they spoke about the vocation and seminarian situation in each of their jurisdictions. An additional acknowledgement and presentation was made to Archbishop J. Michael Miller of Vancouver whose retirement had been announced and he will be leaving the area within a month or two. He has always been a supporter of the Knights and they wanted to show their appreciation.
Sunday morning, after the Mass, the Knights held their final full session and closing formalities. A few did not linger long as they had a long drive back or they needed to catch their flights back to their home councils – some in the far regions of the “State”. There was the long process of taking down and packing and carting away all the props and materials and paraphernalia. Yet everyone left with a great deal of satisfaction that they had participated in a very helpful and inspiring State Convention… and that they were all dedicated brothers in the greatest Catholic Men’s order throughout the world. Their work would continue and they would continue to accomplish great things for their Lord, His Church, His People.
